Realizations of Walter Anderson

As I gear up for the release of Barrier Island Suite, it has been fun to make closer contact with his son John Anderson of Realizations Gallery in Ocean Springs. Today, as I was looking at their site, I noticed some new video footage has been posted, including a great 36-minute tour of Walter Anderson’s cottage that was filmed in 1988.

Agnes “Sissy” Grinstead Anderson gave the tour to a group of Norwegians who were visiting the area, and someone videoed it. The cottage can be seen, along with several works of art, including “The Swimmer,” a sculpture made from the branch of a water oak that used to stand on the property. Sissy takes the group through the cottage and into the little room where Anderson painted the murals that would only be discovered after his death, and she narrates how they found the room when they first opened the padlocked door.

While you’re there, be sure to check out the other videos and the artwork at the gallery. It’s enough to inspire a visit to the lovely little town of Ocean Springs.